This is a lost classic Western gem. Van Heflin plays a man much like Anthony Quinn in “Last Train From Gun Hill” He is the “man” in the territory, a cattle baron, but he is very charismatic and friendly, and seems to have changed with the times, or has he?
His grand stories in the saloon, reminiscent of Floyd’s barber show, among the older men, is heard by his two sons. The older one wants to be a grand hero of whom grand stories are told about, too. But he lives in the wrong era. The younger son is dismissed by the father as a weakling.
There is plenty of action, but as we grow to hate the older son, the wisdom of many characters comes through, as they keep reminding us that it is the father who is the culprit, despite his charisma.
This film gives a great look at how prejudice can infest generations, and not truly disappear when it is supposed to.

James Stewart plays the average man turned bounty hunter, after killer Robert Ryan. Each character in the movie is introduced as Stewart comes across them. But the conflict is always between the Stewart character who worked for everything he had, and the charming Ryan character, who was born with it all. For a while we pull for Ryan’s charimatic outlaw, until we see how disturbing he really is.

The times of Machiavelli’s famous “Prince” are explored, along with the lead character’s fascination with Machiavellian ideas. Indeed, this is still relevant today. Power plays the man who lives in a world in which a man is supposed to be vicious and evil, and yet seem loving and kind. Orson Welles plays an aristocrat who does just that. Power aspires to be like him, but is he Machiavell’s Prince, or is he the opposite, a man emanating evil, but with a heart of gold. Our first clue comes when he spares the assassin.
Highly recommended.

Not only is this movie loads of fun, and not only does it have great music, but it qualifies on its own merit asa great movie. Don’t pay attention to the naysayers, many of them claiming to be fans. The movie takes absolute stereotypes, including the naive Brad and Janice, and turns themm all into three dimensional characters. The plot is the only unsubstantial element, but this is a musical.
Great movie. And great music.

I always get a kick out of this movie. First of all, it is hilarious. My kind of humor. Funny. But also because before I ever saw it, I did the exact same thing. I took a trip with my fiance to St. Louis once, and my map indicated we were going over a bridge, but just like Griswald, I went over the wrong bridge and got lost. Of course I didn’t meet the same couteous people he did. However, I parked in a garage to watch the Cardinals play, and couldn’t find the parking garage later. I walked around the town from dark to dawn, and I do remember about twenty guys standing somewhere, giving me the business. But they were dressed like blue collar workers, and were just having fun, watching me go in circles.

This is probably the most famous “Revenge” movie ever made, and rightly so. Peck plays a man driven to avenge his wife’s death. He follows four men who escape from a hanging, and what a star studded crew: later film legend Lee Van Cleef; the handsome but vicious Stephen Boyd; the veteran Albert Salmi; and the introverted Henry Silva. They consider atrocity after atrocity, most of it caused by Boyd, and we see it more through the eyes of Silva, who evokes the most sympathy from the viewer. He serves more as an emplyee and guide.
With each act of retribution the audience secretly cheers Peck on, as do the other characters in the movie. Just what the writer and director intended. And then we are caught in the trap of “revenge” and the true message, when Peck comes to a horrid realization at the end.
True classic.

A star studded Westerm. this one casts actos in roles they usually don’t play. It is a larger than life look at a larger than life wagon leader who is like a tragic Shakespearean king. His descent into madness is slowly ralized by those around him. The subplots all weave together to make this a true classic.
The characters are all very believable, including the one who becomes the noblest and most honorable, yet for all practical purposes, never appears; the Native American chief whose son was killed by a member of the train. Instead of wiping out the entire party, the chief only requires justice. He is possibly the grandest character in any Western ever made. And it really falls into place.
This is an action packed movie, with adventure every step of the way, and great scenery, mixed in with everyday drama.
This movie works. One of the lost classics.

This movie is a true classic, and one of the most star studded movies ever. John Wayne wasn’t even top billing, or the romantic lead.
The story is roughly that of a Custer like commander, played by Henry Fonda, whose arrogance and superior attitude prove the downfall of him and a lot of other men.
A lot of great scenes, including the grandest dance scene of all time, albeit a slow dance, in which we are made keenly aware of the impending doom.
Although Custer is not named, he is obviously implied. And the Custer character is not the hero of Flynn, nor the caricature of “Little Big Man”. This Custer is somewhere between, and it is too bad he is not named, because this is probably the best and most realistic portrayal of the historic character.

In fact, that is what the film does. A lot of films claim to do this, or try to do this, but don’t. This one is a stellar example of success by writer, director, and actors.
Lemmon plays a man searching for his peace loving son in a hostile Central American country. Each dead end gives him less and less hope. He rationalizes, meanwhile, about how his son was mixed up with the “wrong” people, and was a naive liberal thinker. By the film’s end, Lemmon’s character realizes that he himself was a naive conservative thinker.
Brilliant screenplay (but kudos to all participents.)

If you haven’t seen this, it is a great retelling of
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, only set in a future world. Many great dreamlike images and many great personalities make this a grand adventure. Maybe De Niro’s best performance? I say this because I didn’t recognize him in the role. And it wasn’t make up. It was acting.
We’re never sure when the hero is fantasizing, or when the events are real. It is much more like the Danny Kaye movie than the short story. And it is set in an Orwellian like world of the future.
Visually and emotionally stunning.